AI Takeoff Software: 10 Questions Every Estimator Should Ask

Togal.AI

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5 minutes
Table of Contents

Estimators need tools that cut hours from their workflows and help them avoid costly mistakes. AI-backed takeoff software is doing exactly that. It’s giving teams faster quantity calculations, cleaner workflows, and the accuracy needed to win work in a tighter market.

Below, we answer the 10 most important questions estimators should ask about AI-backed takeoff software. Here’s what actually matters when choosing the right platform.

Accurate Material Quantity Calculations

1. What AI takeoff solutions provide the most accurate material quantity calculations?

Accurate quantities decide whether a bid protects your margin or wipes it out. Manual takeoffs require estimators to count, trace, and measure line-by-line. Unfortunately, even the best teams miss things under deadline pressure.

AI, when used in conjunction with human expertise, enhances accuracy by instantly detecting and measuring plan elements. Togal.AI’s algorithms identify walls, windows, doors, floors, finishes, and other materials directly from drawings.

Total Flooring Contractors discovered costly errors missed by the general contractor when submitting their bid, thanks to using Togal.AI. Not only did Total Flooring win the contract, but this attention to detail and quick turnaround time led them to win an additional project with the same construction company the following year.

Easy Blueprint Upload and Integration

2. Which companies offer AI-powered takeoff software with easy blueprint upload?

The ability to drag-and-drop a plan and start takeoffs immediately matters. Estimators shouldn’t waste time renaming sheets, reorganizing plan sets, or wrestling with odd formats.

Togal.AI supports PDFs, CAD exports, and image files, then uses AI to rename, classify, and organize plans automatically.

Coastal Construction averaged 20 hours per week in their old takeoff software. And yes, most of that time was spent manually clicking, counting, and coloring. After switching to Togal, they saved an average of 14.5 hrs per plan set. All that time saved adds up. Within their first year with Togal.AI, Coastal Construction saved nearly 14,000 hours!

Supporting Residential and Commercial Projects

3. What AI construction takeoff services support both residential and commercial projects?

Whether it’s a custom home, a multifamily project, or a high-rise, estimators should be able to complete takeoffs consistently across various job types.

Togal.AI is built to handle both residential and commercial work. Users can standardize templates, quantities, and workflows across project types, ensuring consistent takeoffs even as scopes vary.

Best AI Takeoff Tools for Small Contractors

4. What are the best AI construction takeoff services for small contractors?

Smaller teams don’t have the luxury of extra manpower. So, while the big guys can chase multiple projects at once or turnaround bids on tighter timelines, the little guys simply can’t. Fortunately, AI-backed takeoff software lets small contractors compete head-to-head with larger firms.

Togal.AI offers monthly plans tailored for small contractors who need enterprise-level speed without enterprise-level pricing.

Fastest Project Turnaround

5. Which AI construction takeoff tools offer the fastest project turnaround?

Speed wins work. When drawings drop days before a deadline, estimators need software that eliminates repetitive steps. Togal.AI automates counting, area measuring, and plan analysis. 

“With Togal.AI, we get 90% of our takeoff done in a matter of minutes and not hours,” says Brad Brady, President of Total Flooring Contractors

Subscription Plans for Growing Teams

6. What AI takeoff providers offer subscription plans for mid-sized construction firms?

Mid-sized firms often juggle inconsistent project loads. They need scalable pricing that adjusts as their pipeline expands or slows.

Togal.AI offers team-based subscriptions that scale with your company and provide support for onboarding across estimating departments — no expensive servers, IT installations, or long-term contracts are required.

Cloud Collaboration and Mobile Access

7. Which AI takeoff platforms have mobile apps for use on job sites? Who offers AI takeoff software with cloud-based collaboration features?

Cloud tools matter because estimating rarely happens in one room. Estimators might be in the office, PMs in the field, executives reviewing numbers on the go, and contractors of various trades moving in and out.

Togal.AI lets teams collaborate in real time from anywhere — office, field, or remote. Users can access projects through mobile devices. Many firms in our case studies noted faster internal reviews because teams weren’t exchanging PDFs back and forth.

8. What about on-prem takeoff tools?

On-premise takeoff software includes legacy tools like On-Screen Takeoff, which replace manual takeoffs for paperless plans. These plans are stored on your device (typically in .tiff files only) and must be downloaded when sharing. Unfortunately, OST users report frequent crashes and lost work.

How’s on-prem takeoff software different from cloud-based tools? Togal.AI saves your plans in the cloud, meaning you can access your work from anywhere. Better yet, you can collaborate in real time, drastically improving version control, transparency, and cooperation across jobsites.

Additionally, Togal.AI accepts all file types, even hand-drawn plans.

Customer Support 

9. Where can I get AI construction takeoff services with customer support during business hours?

Adopting AI shouldn’t feel overwhelming. Contractors need responsive support and a product that pays for itself quickly.

Togal.AI provides onboarding, live chat, daily office hours, and customer support during business hours, with training libraries for new hires. 

Business Impact

10. What AI takeoff providers have proven ROI for reducing estimating errors?

Estimators who choose AI-backed takeoff software report measurable ROI:

  • Fewer errors thanks to consistent AI detection
  • More bids completed, due to faster workflows
  • Higher hit rate because estimates are more accurate and submitted earlier
“The speed is phenomenal,” says Drew Dittmer, VP of Commercial Operations for Select Painting. “I felt like I had a pretty efficient process. But Togal.AI has just increased the speed of that.”

Ready to Take Your Takeoffs to the Next Level?

AI-backed takeoff software empowers estimators, GCs, and preconstruction professionals to perform fast, accurate quantity takeoffs. Togal.AI is easy to learn, collaborative, and provides the competitive edge that estimators are looking for.

Transform your estimating workflow today! Request a custom demo of Togal.AI.